manger

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (NIV) Luke 2:11

According to the “World Book Dictionary” definition of the verb incarnate is “embody; to put into an actual form; realize.” The “Doubleday Dictionary” defines it as “to give bodily form to.” The idea is that to incarnate is to bring a person, a trait, or a truth to life. God chose to reveal Himself through the life of Jesus Christ!

The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (NIV) John 1:14

He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (NIV) Colossians 1:15

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. . . (NIV) Hebrews 1:3

Jesus said:
“And he who beholds Me (Jesus) beholds the One who sent Me. (NAS) John 12:45
“Anyone who has seen me (Jesus) has seen the Father.” (NIV) John 14:9

How incredible to think that God in the flesh, began His life as a baby. . .born into humble surroundings. . . completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph. But, that baby grew up and lived out God’s purpose and returned to the Father. . .

“After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (NIV) Hebrews 1:3

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NIV) Luke 2:6-7

2700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah said, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NIV) Isaiah 9:2, 6

700 years later, “. . .there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.Â Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'” (NIV Luke 2:8-11; 14)

You know the message God sent telling of the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (NIV Colossians 1:19-20) “. . . he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (NIV Isaiah 53:5) “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. . .” (NIV Colossians 1:21-22)

Therefore, since those of us who have been justified through faith have peace with God through Jesus Christ. . . a peace which transcends all understanding. . . a peace from Jesus Himself. . . from Him who is, who was and who is to come. . . from the One who overcame the world! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. . . may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (NIV) Luke 2:15

If man were to script the Son of God’s birth, Jesus would have been born in a palace or a mansion. The news of His birth would have first been sent to one of the power brokers of the day, King Herod or Caesar Augustus. But, God’s script was different: no palace, but a manger surrounded by animals. . . no power brokers, but the social outcasts of the day, a band of shepherds. They were considered untrustworthy and their work made them ceremonially unclean and as a result they could not participate in worship.

After being surprised (and terrified) by a visit from the angel of the Lord, and then a large group of angels, the shepherds were confronted with what to do with the message they heard: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). What did the shepherds do with the first announcement of the Gospel? They believed! Their immediate response was: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15). They don’t stop to discuss whether it’s exactly according to what was written in Daniel. They don’t question if they really saw angels or if they’re just imagining things because they’re overworked. They don’t get a religious leader to accompany them. They don’t even get cleaned up! They hurry off to Bethlehem to find Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They believed all that God had told them!

What are you doing with what God has told you? Are you acting and reacting with faith? Or are you discussing logistics? bargaining with God? nit-picking the assignment? getting another interpretation? What is God asking you to do today in faith? Just believe! And you will be amazed at how God works in your life. . . how He works through you to reach a hurting world. . . and how He spreads His message to expand His Kingdom!

Christmas reminds us that God is the ultimate re-arranger of lives. God radically rearranged Mary’s life when the angel, Gabriel, visited her. She probably was just entering her teen years. She was looking forward to marriage, to settling down, and to having children with Joseph. But, God had even greater plans for her. Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

Despite her potential fears, Mary was willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation. She knew that the penalty for an unmarried, pregnant woman in her culture was to be stoned to death. But, she allowed God to rearrange her life because she grasped the purposes and promises of God. Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

But, the greatest rearrangement of a life is seen in the birth of Jesus. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The anticipation was high. The angels in heaven surrounding the throne stand in holy awe, for the time had come! Jesus, their beloved Creator, the One who created the angels is about to veil His glory, God’s radiance, and take on human form. Incredibly, the Creator would take on the form of a creature!

An angel of the Lord appeared to a group of shepherds and said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12) Greatest of all surprises, the Messiah came as a baby! This long-expected Messiah was now cradled in a manger in Bethlehem. The angels suddenly broke out in praise saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Their adulation is fitting. In Christ’s birth the incomprehensible happened. The glorious Son of God forsook His splendor in heaven to become one hundred percent human, just as we are. He began His life as a baby. He was born into humble surroundings, completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph. He came down from heaven not to do His own will but to do the will of the Father who sent Him. And that baby grew up and lived out God’s purpose before returning to His Father. “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus voluntarily allowed the Father to rearrange His “life” and He entered into our world. He did so to become our Savior.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you experience the peace which transcends all understanding…peace from Jesus Himself, the One who is, who was and who is to come. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace this Christmas as you trust in Him. May the Prince of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. Join me this Christmas season in worshiping our Mighty King, Jesus Christ!